Welcome to Years 3 & 4
In Years 3 and 4, pupils build on the strong foundations developed in the early years of primary school as they grow into increasingly confident, independent learners. This stage marks a shift towards greater depth of understanding, sustained focus and thoughtful enquiry, while still retaining the creativity, curiosity and joy that characterise learning at Dallington. Our experienced teachers support children to take greater ownership of their learning, encouraging resilience, reflection and a love of challenge within a nurturing and supportive environment.
Children continue to enjoy a rich, cross-curricular and topic-based curriculum, taught through an enquiry-led approach that encourages questioning, discussion and independent thinking. A strong emphasis is placed on the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, with Geography, History and Religious Education woven together through carefully planned topics that bring learning to life. Pupils are encouraged to make connections across subjects, deepen their understanding and apply their skills in meaningful contexts. Specialist teaching in Art, French, Performing Arts, Sport and Forest School enriches the curriculum, providing a broad and balanced educational experience.
Personal, social and emotional development remains central in Years 3 and 4. PSHE is taught as a discrete subject each week, supporting pupils to develop positive relationships, emotional literacy and a strong sense of responsibility towards themselves and others. Through open discussion and reflection, children explore themes such as wellbeing, safety, citizenship and respect for different beliefs and cultures, reinforcing Dallington’s inclusive and values-led ethos.
We recognise and celebrate the individuality of every child. In Years 3 and 4, teaching is shaped around small group work, collaboration and pupil voice, enabling children to share ideas, challenge themselves and learn from one another. Children are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for their learning, developing independence, creativity and problem-solving skills. This thoughtful and supportive approach ensures that each child’s strengths are nurtured, allowing them to flourish academically, socially and personally as they prepare for the next stage of their Dallington journey.
Meet Harriet, Year 3 & 4 Teacher
Harriet brings over seven years of teaching experience across Australia and the UK to her role as our Year 3 & 4 teacher. She is deeply passionate about creating a calm, nurturing and engaging learning environment where every child feels a strong sense of belonging, is valued for who they are, and grows in confidence. Harriet believes learning is at its best when it is collaborative, with rich opportunities for talk, teamwork and shared thinking that help children learn from and with one another.
Her teaching is thoughtfully connected to the real world, ensuring learning feels meaningful, relevant and purposeful for students. Responsive and child-centred, Harriet shapes her lessons around pupils’ interests, ideas and voices, empowering them to take an active role in their learning journey and develop a genuine love of learning.
Forest School in Years 3 and 4 is led by a specialist teacher and takes place regularly in our nearby green space at King Square. Sessions are often linked to science, geography and design topics, giving children opportunities to explore the natural environment, use tools safely and take part in imaginative and adventurous activities. Through collaborative challenges and hands-on learning, pupils develop independence, resilience, teamwork and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Performing Arts: Our Performing Arts curriculum in Years 3 and 4 includes music, drama and movement and is led by specialist teachers. Pupils develop performance skills through singing, instrumental work, storytelling and ensemble activities, often linked to topic themes. Children explore a wide range of musical styles and sounds and regularly perform to peers and families, building confidence, creativity and collaboration.
Visual Arts & Design Technology: Visual Arts and DT are taught within the topic curriculum and include the study of key artists, designers and art forms from different cultures and periods. Pupils work with a wide range of media including drawing, painting, sculpture, textiles and mixed materials. Sketchbooks are used to develop ideas, practise techniques and reflect on learning, with projects culminating in a final piece children can feel proud of.
PSHE and RSE are taught as discrete weekly lessons using the Kapow Primary scheme and resources from the PSHE Association. The curriculum supports pupils to develop positive relationships, emotional literacy and a strong sense of responsibility towards themselves and others. Children explore wellbeing, safety, citizenship and economic understanding, supported by visits from organisations such as the NSPCC, fire service and police, helping them understand how to keep themselves and others safe in real-life situations.
History and Geography in Years 3 and 4 are taught through immersive, enquiry-led topics that encourage pupils to make connections across time and place. History topics introduce children to past civilisations and societies, developing chronological understanding and historical enquiry skills. Geography learning supports pupils to explore the natural world, environments, animals and global cultures. Religious Education is taught as a discrete subject within the topic-based curriculum, encouraging reflection on belief, meaning and respect for different worldviews. Educational visits, local exploration and resources from the Islington Library Service enrich learning and bring topics to life.
Pupils in Years 3 and 4 benefit from specialist sports teaching that encourages enjoyment of physical activity, teamwork and resilience. Children take part in a wide range of sports and physical challenges, alongside opportunities for clubs, fixtures and competitions. Swimming is an integral part of the curriculum, with regular lessons at Ironmonger Row Baths developing water safety and technique. Pupils also take part in swimming galas and sports events, celebrating effort, progress and teamwork.
French in Years 3 and 4 builds on earlier language learning, developing confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Lessons are led by our specialist French teacher and use songs, role play, storytelling and themed learning to deepen vocabulary and sentence structure. Pupils also learn about French culture and everyday life, with popular French café sessions bringing language learning to life through practical, real-world experiences.
Our Literacy curriculum in Years 3 and 4 continues to nurture confident communicators and a love of reading and writing. Pupils follow a rich, diverse, text-based curriculum that includes fiction, non-fiction and poetry by authors from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds, often linked to topic learning. Writing is taught as a structured and creative process, with pupils planning, drafting, editing and publishing work for a range of audiences. Speaking and listening are embedded through discussion, drama and presentation. Visits to Finsbury Library and literary trips, including book-making workshops with publishers such as Macmillan, further inspire pupils as readers and writers.
Science: Science in Years 3 and 4 is taught through enquiry-led, hands-on learning. Pupils explore themes such as forces, plants, animals and habitats, planning and carrying out investigations, recording results and drawing conclusions using scientific language. Learning is often linked to geography and environmental topics, helping pupils understand and care for the natural world.
Technology & Engineering: All pupils take part in specialist coding lessons, developing their programming skills through Scratch and creative problem-solving tasks. Engineering and design activities encourage pupils to design, build, test and evaluate ideas using a range of tools and materials, often inspired by topic learning.
Maths: Maths forms a core part of our STEM curriculum and follows the White Rose Maths scheme to ensure clear progression and depth of understanding. Pupils develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills across number, calculation, fractions, measurement, geometry and statistics. Learning is supported by practical resources and real-world contexts, and pupils also take part in national maths challenges to promote enjoyment and confidence.